Netanyahu Slams Joint List MK's Gaza Victory Declaration

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shared a video of former Knesset member and senior Ta'al official Osama Saadi, who dedicated the Joint List's electoral achievements to the residents of Gaza, the West Bank, and "occupied Jerusalem." Saadi also extended greetings to Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu used the video, originally aired on Channel 14, as a warning against forming a government that would rely on the Joint List, stating, "We will not let this happen."

In the video, Saadi celebrated the Joint List's election results, calling the outgoing government "fascist, murderous, and engaged in ethnic cleansing." He explicitly dedicated the success to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and what he termed "occupied Jerusalem," and sent a message of congratulations to Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Netanyahu amplified Saadi's remarks on social media, highlighting him as a partner to the "left bloc" and accusing him of praising Palestinians and "terrorists in prison." The Prime Minister emphasized that this demonstrated the "dangerous" nature of a government that could be formed with the Joint List's support.

The political confrontation comes as the Arab parties' strength in the preliminary election results has grown. Neither major bloc has secured the 61 seats needed for a majority, potentially giving the Joint List and Ra'am a pivotal role in recommending a president and in Knesset votes. Netanyahu's move aims to pressure the "change bloc" leaders, suggesting that any alternative government would necessitate reliance on the Joint List, whose members view their electoral gains as a victory for Palestinians.

Joint List Chairman Yosef Jabareen has indicated his party's readiness to act to oust the Netanyahu government, calling for a Jewish-Arab partnership but stressing that his party's support would not be unconditional. Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats, has also urged change bloc parties to cooperate with Arab parties to form a government. However, no formal agreement or framework has yet been presented between the Joint List and figures like Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett.

Osama Saadi, though not expected to enter the Knesset due to his placement at the end of the list, remains an influential figure within Ta'al and participated in the party's election celebrations. The political debate now centers on whether the "change bloc" parties are willing to form a government dependent on the Joint List, with Netanyahu leveraging Saadi's statements to illustrate the perceived political and ideological cost of such a partnership.